Polyimide nanocomposites with boron nitride-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes for enhanced thermal conductivity and electrical insulation

Abstract

Polyimide nanocomposites with boron nitride-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (BN-c-MWCNTs) were successfully prepared with enhanced thermal conductivity and electrical insulation. The inorganic BN nano-layer on the MWCNT surface provides electrical insulation and prevents the formation of MWCNT electrically conductive networks in the PI matrix. BN-c-MWCNT/PI films exhibited synchronously good thermal conductivity and relatively high electrical resistivity. Compared with that of pure PI, the thermal conductivity of the BN-c-MWCNT/PI films with 3 wt% BN-c-MWCNTs increased by 106%. In addition, the electrical insulation of the BN-c-MWCNT/PI films was also improved compared with that of the MWCNT/PI composite films. All the above-mentioned properties provide advantages to the PI hybrid films in electronic packaging and electrical insulation.